Radamel Falcao plays for Manchester United's U-21 side

Manchester: Under-performing Manchester United loanee Radamel Falcao made a surprise appearance for the club's under-21 team in a match against Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday.

Radamel Falcao

Having been an unused substitute in United's 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final defeat at home to Arsenal on Monday, the Colombia star was given a 72-minute run-out in the match at Old Trafford, which finished 1-1.

Falcao joined United from Monaco last September in a reported £6 million loan deal with a view to a permanent £43.5 million transfer, but has found the net just four times in 20 appearances.

United manager Louis van Gaal has preferred Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini to Falcao in recent matches and offered an unconvincing defence of the former Porto and Atletico Madrid striker after the Arsenal defeat.